Ab Workouts You Can Do Without Lying On The Ground

The world of fitness is one of variety. From cardio workouts for people who don't like running to quick and easy workouts you can do at home, there is definitely something to suit any taste. 

When you think of ab workouts, your mind probably pictures a mat, the floor, and yourself. Whether you prefer crunches or planks, there is a great advantage to what ab workouts on the ground offer in terms of core strength. But this is not the only way to tone your stomach muscles — you can do ab workouts without lying on the floor too.

In fact, doing ab exercises while standing up forces you to improve your balance because you'll be making sure you don't tip over while exercising, per Well+Good. They're also a great alternative for those who suffer from neck pain while doing their ab workouts on the ground (via Self). 

Standing ab workouts are also a good way to add some variety to your usual exercise routine, according to Cathe. Here are some great ab workouts you can do without hitting the ground. 

A great move for engaging your core, high knees also give you the added benefit of getting your heart pumping to start things off (via Class Pass). Stand up straight with your legs slightly parted. Bring your left knee to your chest, keeping in mind to maintain a tight core, and then do the same with your right leg. You'll basically be mimicking a sprinting motion (more slowly of course). High knees are an excellent way to warm up and get all the muscles in your body moving, per Healthline. 

For an ab workout that tones and strengthens your core muscles, try the oblique twists. You can do them with weights or a Swiss ball for greater resistance, but the workout can be done without equipment as well. Stand up straight with your legs slightly parted (hip-width apart) and your arms at your sides forming a T. Engage your core and twist from left to right, per Very Well Fit. It goes without saying that mind-to-muscle connection is important here, as it is with all forms of exercise (via Jim Stoppani). 

This ab workout might be old but it's still very effective, reports Chron. As with most of these exercises, paying attention to form, breathing, and maintaining a tight core are important during this movement. Stand up straight with your feet apart, move your hips slightly backward as you start to move forward and reach for your toes (via Fitness Blender). Stay in the position for a few seconds before straightening back up. 

You may have heard about what happens to your body if you never stretch, especially if you've been on the receiving end of muscle strains after a grueling workout all because you skipped stretching. Standing toe touches are a great workout to add to your stretching routine as well; they work on those arms, legs, glutes, and hamstrings too.

If you're looking to add a bit of resistance to your standing ab workouts, dumbbell side bends are a perfect fit. You can use dumbbells or kettlebells for this workout. Begin by standing up straight with your feet positioned under your shoulders on the ground. Place your hands by your sides holding your weights. Engage your core and gently bend to your right, come back up, and bend slowly toward your left (via Well+Good). This ab exercise targets the side muscles of your stomach and also gives your spine a good stretch, per Masterclass.

Also known as Virabhadrasana III in yoga terminology, the warrior balance pose requires you to really focus on maintaining balance and engaging the muscles of your core and legs, per Very Well Fit. Stand up straight on the ground with your feet together. Keep your core tight as you slowly bend forward and bring your arms up near your ears and stretch them out whilst also lifting your left leg up and away from behind you until it is aligned with the floor (via Skimble). Bring your left knee and your elbows toward your chest before repeating on the opposite side. Although a weighted form of this movement does exist, warrior balance is a core workout you can do without weights at home.